Strap guide for brief cases or the like



June 5, 1951 wl SATZ 2,555,820

STRAP. GUIDE FOR BRIEF CASES OR "THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l El. 35 Fl-EIZ- 35 3U Q@ www@ /f ATTUBNEY June 5, 1951 'w. SATZ STRAP GUIDE FOR BRIEF CASES OR THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1948 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR William Sal? Me/MW Il wn. l. i

ATTORNEY Patented June 5, i951 STRAP GUIDE FOR BRIEF CASES R THE LIKE William Satz, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 26, 1948, Serial No. 17,338

This invention relates to luggage construction; more particularly, to brief cases. This invention is directed to improvements over my invention set forth in my Patent No. 2,101,459, patented December 7, 1937.

In the construction in accordance with my prior invention comprising a gusseted brief case and compacting straps specifically having elastic sections, there has been the tendency to enlarge the utility thereof to carry rather bulky material Which, with the tendency to substitute various grades of facing leather for the side walls, was found sometimes inadequate to respond to rough usage. Unsightly appearance, as well as disrepair soon came about, to render the construction not only unattractive, but to tend to hasten the effect of rough usage.

In` the construction of the character described particularly employing supporting straps for the guessets including elastic sections, the distortion occasioned by bulking the material soon resulted inabnormal distension of the elastic segments, unusually reducing the life of these members.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide in a brief case construction comprising spaced walls connected by gussets and including supporting straps particularly adjacent the bottom thereof and joined by elastic sections to take up the distension of the brief case, of means to assure the eiiicient operation of the elastic sections in exerting their contractive iniiuence upon the straps over the edge of the walls of the brief case and tending normally to draw the side Walls together to the minimum dimension. It is contemplated by my invention to provide in a brief case of the character described and having gusset straps, of a guide for the straps adjacent the edges of the wall about which the straps pass to permit the elastic segments to exercise their contractive influence, with minimum Wear and without distortion of the edge of the edge walls of the brief case.

Still further it is contemplated by my invention to provide in a brief case construction including supporting straps for the gussets, particularly those including elastic sections, of guides for the straps, permitting the straps to glide over the edge of the brief case wall, thereby aiding the elastic segments quickly to contract the brief case walls to the minimum space about the contents and without distortion of the side walls of the brief case, minimizing the effecting of an unsightly appearance as well as tending to reduce Wear of the leather or the like of which the brief case is made.

7 Claims. (Cl. 150-1.6)

Still further objects of my invention reside in the provision in a brief case including gussets reinforced by straps having shiftable sections, of guides for the straps to permit contraction and expansion of the brief case against the stress of the straps, quickly and efficiently, without warping or distorting the brief case walls.

Still further it is contemplated by my invention to provide strap guides for a brief case which will make possible an economical installation of these features.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein, or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improvement;

Figure 2 is a magnied fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a guide member in accordance with another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of a guide in accordance with a still further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a still further embodiment of my invention;

Figure 8 is a magnified section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a channel guide employed in the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of a still further embodiment.

Making reference to the drawing, I have illustrated a brief case I0 which comprises wall sections Il and I2, having inner linings I3 and H joined by the usual stitches at the peripheral edges by a layer of leather l5 forming the usual gussets holding partition elements I 6 and IT. The upper edges of the walls Il and I2 include a closure I8, preferably comprising some interconnecting fastening means there being shown for illustrative purposes, such as stringers joined with a slide fastener and actuator of well known design.

Suitable handles i9 are anchored to the upper edges of the side walls Il and l2, and pass through the apertures 20 in the space between the lining and the facing Walls in a manner which will be readily understood.

In accordance with the construction generally described in my patent aforementioned, I provide supporting straps 2| which are arranged to pass over the bottom edges 22 of the side walls and l2, to provide support for the gussets adjacent the bottom of the brief case. In the construction in accordance with my present invention, I provide metallic stays or channels or guides 23, such as steel, brass, aluminum, having side flanges 24 spaced apart to permit ready guiding of the strap' 2| along the length thereof, yet holding the same against sideward movement. The width and depth of the'flanges 24 serve to encase the strap 2| so that pressure thereon by a fiat body will likewise not restrain the free sliding movement of the strap 2|.

Each channel or stay 23 is provided at its end 25 with an ear 2S having a drill hole 2l. The end 28 of the channel isprovided with an extension tongue 29, formed with serrations or teeth 3|] which are shown in a position before shaping. With channels of the character thus provided, the straps 2| are formed adjacent their terminal ends 3| with lengths of elastic 32, joined to each end of the strap 2| by a rivet 33. Thereupon the briefcase Walls are formed adjacent the bottom with crescent shaped slits 34, to permit access 'to the space 35 between the outer wall and the lining I3, and |2, i4, respectively. Assembly' is eifected by inserting the channels 23 into the slits 34, and projecting the channels and the elastic segments 32 to reach a predetermined position from the bottom edge 22, whereupon the channel is riveted inv position by the rivets 36, to pass through the drill hole 2 of the channel 23, the edge of the elastic segments S52 joining the channel ear 25 and elastic 32 between the lining and the outer Walls. The elasticity furnished by the segments 32 will thereupon permit exposing the tongue 29 which may be crimped to one side to form the loop or fold 31 about the edge 22 comprising the thickness of the outer wall, the lining, and the end of the gusset. The crimping may be effective to drive the teeth 3|) into engagingposition, to bind the tongue 2S into engagement with the edge 22 of the brief case `and provide a gliding loop over which the strap,- 2| readily slides as the Walls of the brief case are distended or are permitted to contract 'in filling or removing items from Ythe brief case. stiffness provided by the channel 23 even for a short distance equal to point Vof attachment of the strap will prevent the edge 22 of the brief case from becoming distorted or mis-shapen.

The maintenance of the rectilinear condition of the side walls of the brief case not only facilitates the gliding movement of the straps 2| along the length of the channel, but enhances the appearance of the outer layer constituting the walls and I2. The flanges 24 do not interfere with the sliding movement of the jointV constituting the strap and elastic 32, where connected by the rivet 33.

While the loop or fold 31 of itself reduces the friction in gliding of the strap 2| along the edge, I may further facilitate the contractive action of the elastic sections 32 by additional friction reducing elements as more particularly shown in Figures and 6, wherein I extend the side flanges 24 to provide ears 24a which may trunnion the pin 29a and mount the roller 31a. In lining in position the channel carrying this feature, the roller 31a is positioned co-terminous withV `the edge 22, to guide thestrap lwith relatively little The friction as it moves over the channel surface and about the bottom of the brief case. Y

In the embodiment illustrated inFigures 1 to 6, it will be understood that the necessity for passing the rivet 36 through the ear 25, the elastic section 32, and attaching the same to the side walls and lining may require that the finishing operation, such as by sewing the side walls and lining to -each other and to the gusset, be deferred until the riveting operation has been completed, To reduce the labor involved in handling leather and the inflexible channel, I may modify the assembly in accordance with the form illustrated in Figures 7 to 9. In this con- ,of the outer wall of the brief case.

struction, the operations include the assembly of the strap 2| by passing the same through the slits 34 and in the space 35 between the outer walls and I2 and the lining I3 and |4, whereupon the rivets 36 are in this embodiment passed through the lining, theelastic segment and the outer Wall. When this operation has been'completed in accordance with the number of straps to be. attached, i. e. two in number as more clearly' illustrated in Figure l, I then attach guide members 23a, as more clearly illustrated in Figure 9. These guide members may include adjacent the'edge 25a, a notch 26a. Side flanges 24 are provided as in the prior embodiment. The end Zta is provided with a tongue 29h and folded to direct the teeth 30 to form a loop substantially in parallelism with the bottom wall of the channel 23a. The channel adjacent the teeth is formed with a transverse ridge 33.

With a strap guide of rigid material thus provided, the assembly operation includes underlying the guide 23a beneath the strip to enter the slit 34 until the notch 2te abuts the rivet 35, thereby sandwiching the channel end 25a between the elastic segment 32 and' the lining. The strap and the elastic segment are nested between the side flanges 24. The length of the channel in accordance with the embodiment positions the loop 3l adjacent the edge 22 of theV brief case, which edge constitutes portions of the inner lining, the end of the gusset and the edge In this position, the teeth 3U are clinched to drive the same into and penetrate the layers constituting .the edge of the gusset, the lining and the outer wall of the brief case. The ridge portion 38 on itsinside surface forms ,a groove and serves to re-direct and turn the teeth 30 intomore intimate clinching engagement when clamped by the press.

It will be observed that by the construction .illustrated'in Figures 7 to 9, assembly of the flexible or leather parts of the brief case may be effected before interposing the rigidchannel guide 23a.

As a still further embodiment of my invention, .as more particularly illustrated in Figure 10, I provide a channel 23C whose inner end is formed with an ear 39 and an aperture 40 at one end. 'I'he opposite end is formed with a loop 4| and a drill hole 42 which passes through the web of the channel and the upstanding branch 43'. With a construction as thus provided, the brief cas'e is completed as to all manufacturing opera-` tions, including the provision of the crescentshaped slits 34. Thereupon the strap 2| is assembled so that its opposite end 44 carrying the elastic segment 32 is affixed to theY channel 23e by riveting that end thereof. A pair of the channels carrying the opposite ends vof the strap 2| attached thereto as just described. is aiixed to the brief case by passing one channel through a slit 34, until the loop 4I is in contact with an edge 22 of the brief case, sandwiching in the loop the edge of the gusset, the lining, and the edge of the wall. Thereupon a rivet or eyelet is driven through the perforation 42 to join the upstanding branch 43 firmly against the layers of the brief case comprising the gusset, the lining and the outer wall. The rigidity of the channel as supported from the edge 22 of the brief case maintains the strap in position.

By the construction provided, all of the features of my prior invention are secured, augmented however to permit ready gliding of the strap over the edge of the brief case. The rigidity of the channel serves to maintain the edge 22 against deformation in filling the brief case t0 capacity, and only a small portion of the width of the brief case (approximately one third) need be rigidied by the channel to retain the brief case free from distortion, adding long life to its usefulness.

Retraction by the elastic resilient members is effected quickly and efciently after withdrawing' the contents from the brief case.

In general, I have provided a brief case construction which may be quickly filled and which supports the gusset adjacent the bottom wall, increasing the useful life or the body of the brief case, effecting economies in the utilization of leather without limitation as to thickness and toughness.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a brief case or `the like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting connected by gussets and straps, the ends of the straps being anchored on the side walls and extending over the bottom edges of the walls, and guides comprising rigid channels having free edge portions over which said straps pass.

2. In a brief case or the like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting connected by gussets and partial straps, the ends of the straps extending into and being anchored intermediate the body of the side walls and including elastic sections drawing said walls to each other, the combination therewith of channel guides in which said straps nest, and over which said straps pass in surrounding the bottom edges of said walls.

3. In a brief case or the like construction comprising spaced side walls connected by gussets and partial straps supported on said walls and passing over the bottom edges of said walls to limit and restrain the expansion of said gussets in use, the combination therewith of rigid guide channels in which each of said straps are nested, including an edge over which said straps are directed in passing over said gussets,

4. In a brief case or like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting each having an inner lining, said walls being connected by gussets, straps extending over the bottom edges of said walls for supporting said gussets and said straps including elastic sections, each of the free ends of said straps extending between one of said walls and the adjacent 1ining, means for anchoring each of the said ends to one of said walls and the lining and a stay comprising a channel member for each of said straps.

5. In a brief case or like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting each having an inner lining, said walls being connected by gussets, straps extending overthe bottom edges of said walls for supporting said gussets and said straps including elastic sections, each of the free ends of said straps extending between one of said walls and the adjacent lining, means for anchoring each of the said ends to one of said walls and the lining and a stay comprising a channel member for each of said straps, one end of said stay being afxed to one of said walls.

6. In a brief case or like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting each having an inner lining, said walls being connected by gussets, straps extending over the bottom edges of said walls for supportingv said gussets and said straps including elastic sections, each of the free ends of said straps extending between one of said walls and the adjacent lining, means for anchoring each of the said ends to one of said walls and the adjacent lining and a stay comprising a channel member for each of said straps, one end of said stay being aixed to one of said walls, the other end being braced4 between said lining and strap.

7. In a brief case or the like construction comprising spaced side walls of flexible sheeting connected by gussets and straps, the ends of the straps being anchored against movement in re spect of the side walls, and extending over the bottom edges of the walls, and guides comprising rigid channels having free edge portions over which said straps pass.

WILLIAM SATZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 648,838 Bodenheimer May 1, 1900 '790,748 Rangnow May 23, 1905 892,533 Maddux July 7, 1908 1,158,841 Pingree Nov. 2, 1915 2,101,459 Satz Dec. 7, 1937 

